News and features

(26 items total, showing 21 to 26)

Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons

Published: 13 June 2011

NAT (National AIDS Trust) Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons A framework for best practice in the UK I am delighted to introduce this updated version of Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons - A framework for best practice in the UK. The original framework was published in 2007 and has had a considerable impact on the way that prisons approach blood-borne virus prevention and testing, as well as care for those living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Tackling blood-borne viruses is an important public health concern, and investing in appropriate services will ensure long-term cost-effectiveness. With the significant changes we are seeing to the prison and health landscape, from the transformation of healthcare commissioning in England to the provision of prison healthcare in Scotland moving from the prison service to the NHS, it is more important than ever that the health needs of prisoners are met.

Use of force on children in custody

Published: 13 June 2011

Twisted: The use of force on children in custody the Howard League for Penal Reform This briefing examines the sanctioned use of force on children in custody and includes evidence from legal statements made by young people

Sustained investment needed in mental health services

Published: 31 May 2011

For immediate release: 25 May 2011 Sustained investment needed in mental health services - RCN The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (25 May) today called for sustained investment in mental health services, as it launched a new video promoting the outstanding work of nurses who work in the mental health sector. The five minute film, timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, features short clips with mental health nurses and service users discussing the huge importance of their work. At a time when the sector is facing frontline cuts to jobs and services, the RCN is urging the Government to ensure mental health services receive continued funding and resources. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “People with mental health problems often require a huge range of support with their physical health, their work and their personal lives. This week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the enormous difference mental health services and nurses can make to those people’s lives. “However, we know that cuts are being made to mental health jobs and services, particularly alcohol and drug services. We are concerned that if this trend continues mental health services will be badly hit and this could jeopardise the improvements which have been made over the last ten years. We would urge the Government to ensure that continued investment is made so that people with mental health problems get the help they need and which we know improves many lives.” Angus Forsyth, one of the nurses interviewed, says in the film: “It gives me a tremendous source of satisfaction that by relating and understanding somebody, you can actually empower them and help them recover.” Service user Marion Janner says: “Mental health nursing is enormously demanding and complex and requires a whole batch of personal and professional qualities. It is very unfashionable to say they are angels but I think they are.” The video can be viewed at http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities/rcn_forum_communities/mental_health

Prison health to improve as result of national IT system

Published: 31 May 2011

Published date: 12 April 2011 Healthcare staff in prisons will be better placed to tackle the challenging health needs of prisoners as a result of a national prison healthcare IT system now installed in all prisons and young offender institutions across England. All clinicians now have ready access to up to date medical information making it less likely that the physical and mental health needs of prisoners and young offenders go undetected. Early intervention and preventative care will improve as healthcare staff have round the clock access to prisoners' medical history and current conditions at multiple sites within a prison. Prisoners will also benefit from improved continuity of care as they move between prisons, with medical records immediately and securely transferred from one prison to another. And staff are having to spend less time on administrative tasks – freeing up their time to concentrate on patient care. Over 5,000 healthcare staff are using the system at 136 English prisons and young offender institutions, including three immigration centres where the NHS is responsible for healthcare. The final prison to go operational with the system was HMP Feltham at the end of last month. Paul Burstow, Care Services Minister said: “This provides a firm foundation to take offender health forward in a digital age. The ability to access prisoners’ medical records when they are needed, from the first moment that they are received into a prison, is crucial to the delivery of effective healthcare. “This system is a worthwhile investment that will support healthcare professionals working in prisons in their very challenging roles.” Louis Appleby, National Clinical Director for Health in Criminal Justice said: “For healthcare staff working in this demanding field, using the same kind of technology that’s already established in general practice is crucial to improving their ability to provide safe and effective care. “Prisoners usually have complex and multiple healthcare problems, which are treated by different members of the healthcare team, so the system has a major role to play in supporting team-working and ensuring healthcare professionals are sighted on all aspects of the treatment being provided.” Sir Keith Pearson, Chair, National Advisory Group for Health and Criminal Justice said: “Effective information sharing is key to tackling the challenging healthcare needs of the offender population, and ensuring they get access to the right treatment, when they need it. This system in prisons sets the bar for ongoing work needed to improve the quality of data, records and information sharing right across the criminal justice system, in direct support of partnership working and the systematic assessment of a person's health needs. Improved continuity of care means that fewer people will fall through the cracks.” ENDS Notes to Editors: 1. The system, SystmOne Prison, is in operation across all 136 prisons in England including the three immigration centres providing NHS commissioned care. 2. SystmOne Prison, from software supplier TPP, is based on a leading GP system and has been developed over many years to meet the unique requirements of healthcare professionals working in prisons. Its use encompasses areas such as: admitting prisoners, transferring prisoners, prescribing and administering medication, clinical templates, clinic administration and security. 3. The Prison Health IT programme which has overseen the roll-out of the national clinical IT system is a team effort between NHS Connecting for Health and the Offender Health team at the Department of Health, SHAs, PCTs the National Offender Management Service and local service provider CSC and its software supplier TPP.